Random Images……May the Fourth (Force) be with You.
Han and Chewy taking a breather after tearing up some single track.
Bobba Fett using his cargo bike to haul Han (frozen in Carbonite). By Mike Joos via Awesomenator
On the Road……Third Street Bike Path, Tucson
Show on mapRandom Images……Happy Earth Day!
Maybe it’s time to go a new direction and change our attitude vis-a-vis our relationship to Mother Earth.
Nathan
On the Road…’Whole Foods’ parking lot, Speedway Blvd.
Ingredients: filtered water, lemon juice, and sugar.
I don’t really understand the chemistry of it, but I find it’s not enough to just drink water here in the desert. You can still end-up feeling depleted.
So I dilute lemonade with equal parts water (sparkling or still) and this seems to do the trick.
That’s a Wald basket (approx. $19.99 new) on the Nishiki.
Random Images……Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012
I’m beginning to accept that on my short bike rides around central Tucson I can only photograph the landscape that exists — which is a landscape resplendent with concrete, abandoned shopping carts, and dumpsters.
However, paying close attention to the details of this landscape, I believe, creates a more intimate connection to the physical world.
For beauty is everywhere — even in ugliness it is possible to see beauty.
But the opposite is also true — ugliness exists within beauty. This is the paradox of living in duality.
Looking through the eyes of God — from within the unity of existence — what do you see?
Nathan
Click here for some of TheFridaycyclotouriste’s previous holiday images/posts
Gear Gallery……Keirin Shoes from ASICS
A stylish, retro-looking shoe made by the Japanese company ASICS. These Onitsuka Tigers are modeled on classic Keirin (i.e. track racing) shoes of the 1970s. They don’t seem to be genuine cycling shoes, however — they have a soft, spongy sole which isn’t usually what bicyclists want. But they are on sale at Zappos (as of 03/29/12) and so I took a risk and ordered a pair.
This purchase is part of my never ending search for the perfect cycling shoe (see this post and this one too for the earlier chapters in this on-going saga).
On the Road……Javelina exhibit in the Saguaro National Park
The javelina generates strong opinions, both positive and negative. Some people love them (I’m one of them), but others can’t stand them.
Javelina are to Tucson as deer are to Marin County: They’re omnipresent throughout the urban environment and homeowners are aghast at the creature’s ability to trample and eat pretty much anything in the yard or garden.
They are extremely social animals — you often see small herds of them walking in single-file as they forage for food. They also take turns scratching their mates posteriors with their snouts. They will defend their young at almost any cost, but have terrible eyesight and so they will panic and charge if they feel cornered or threatened.
This is an Instagram-like interpretation of an iPhone photo.
Bicycle Culture……North American Handbuilt Bike Show
The NAHBS was held in Sacramento a couple weeks ago. The bicycle below which was exhibited at the show caught my eye.
The builder is Mitch Pryor of MAP Bicycles in Portland. Below is another example of his work.
Random Images……A New Van Gogh Discovered!
Speaking of art.
Did you hear a new painting by Van Gogh has been discovered? It’s stunning!
Read about the discovery here.
Random Images……Creative Photography
I love bikes and photography — and this talented artist does too.
Read about his creative process (and peruse his dreamlike and whimsical images) in this interview by Alexandra Cameron on her blog .
Or see more of Joel’s work on Flickr, including more bicycle shots like this one and this one.
Great stuff!
Random Images……Blooming Cacti in the Sonoran Desert
I thought summer was coming early to Tucson. Just last week, some of the Ocotillos (Fouquieria splendens) were beginning to bloom. Then came a sudden cold snap and today there’s snow on the mountaintops!
But here’s a taste of things to come in the Sonoran Desert as winter begins to leave us (the images below are from my 2011 photo archives):
Nathan
Bicycling Culture……”Le Velo” and “I’m on a (mother-bleeping) Bike”
Two video parodies — that I’m assuming were made by bicycling enthusiasts — which mock the unfortunate pretentiousness so often demonstrated by certain classes of cyclists.
The first video is from the lycra-clad Euro-racer’s perspective. There’s some hysterical satire in here. The first thirty seconds are quite rich and there’s another sequence from about the 1:30 to 2:00 minute mark that had me rolling on the floor (“Le Pelotan!”).
By the way, this was clearly filmed on Panoramic Highway or Ridgecrest Blvd. overlooking the Pacific Ocean. If you’re interested, I’ve posted many images of this gorgeous stretch of road on this blog.
The second video is presented from the righteous, urban cyclist’s perspective. Mind you the video is what is called — NSFW — not safe for work — due to the rather crude, in your face language.
But if you’re interested, check it out on YouTube, where some people seem to think the video is celebrating bad behavior rather than calling these kind of cyclists out.
Random Images: Copenhagen Zoo, Bus Advertisement
Staying with the theme from my previous post here’s another image from the world mecca of bicycle-friendliness — Copenhagen.
I heart good public transportation options (especially when coupled with wonderful graphic design like this).
Bicycling culture……Winter bicycling, AZ and Copenhagen
Winter in southern Arizona this is not.
This is Copenhagen, Denmark. A city where bicycling is just another way for everyone — young and old; fashionable and unfashionable; working class and upper-class — to get from here to there whatever the weather is like outside.
The photo is from an article at Copenhagenzine.com reflecting on the foolishness of overly specialized bicycling subcultures (in this case, enthusiasts proclaiming the imperative for high-tech winter cycling gear). It reads, in part:
“When sub-cultural groups start trying to indoctrinate and convert the public, it rarely ever succeeds. For the better part of a century, people all over the planet rode bicycles because they were quick, easy, convenient and enjoyable. In hilly cities. In hot cities. In snowy cities.
After the bicycle largely disappeared from the urban landscape because urban planning started revolving around the car and the automobile industry began their dreadfully effective marketing after the Second World War, many regions in the world have been left suffering in a bicycle vacuum.
The result is that an entire generation has been given the impression that cycling is something that a few people do for sport or recreation and not much else…”
The point is if you live in a cold climate, you probably already have all the clothes you need (in your normal wardrobe) to bicycle in cold weather.
Does the same principle apply to our hot (very hot!) AZ summers?
Nathan
Random Images……Patio container plants, New Year’s image II
An image made on the patio of my Dad’s place on New Year’s Day.
The green and magenta color combination is always striking. These two colors are on opposite sides of the color wheel, making them complimentary.
As a side note, when two complimentary colors are combined at the proper intensities they produce white light. So, Green (G) + Magenta (M) = White (W). In addition, if you combine the three primary colors (Red, Green, Blue) white light is also produced (R+G+B=W). The great physicist James Clerk Maxwell figured this out (along with his theories of electromagnetism) in the late 1800s, but now I’ve completely digressed.
If you want to play around with these color combinations, here’s a color wheel to experiment with and here’s some good basic color theory.
Random Images……Paved Desert Landscape w/ Catalina Mtn’s
I didn’t get much bicycle riding in during 2011 due to distractions (like my job and other photography projects) and the natural fall-off that came along with moving to an auto-centric city with a hot desert climate. I’m not sure what 2012 will produce. A multi-day bicycle tour would sure be fun. Europe would be great.
One thing that is clear: since I began this blog in early 2009, the so-called bicycling movement has gone from a niche activity to a fully mainstream cultural phenomenon. Core77 has an interesting year-end review titled How the Cycling Movement Gained Momentum in 2011.
Anyhow, today’s landscape image was made while riding through the parking lot of the El Con Mall (home to Target, Home Depot, and a 20-screen cineplex). I didn’t have a reason to post this during 2011, but I enjoy the photo so I’m making it my 2012 New Year’s Day image.
I hope everyone has a year full of joyful bicycle riding with family, friends, and loved ones.
Happy New Year!
Nathan
Bicycling Culture……iPad app showcasing bicycle design
A couple months ago, I mentioned Michael Embacher’s new book Cyclepedia. Well, the publisher has produced a stunning iPad version.
Sometimes I almost convince myself I need an iPad.
Then, I take a deep breath and remind myself once again about the unlimited nature of desire (and the Buddha’s second noble truth).
Bicycling Culture……Ville vs Velodrome, graphic art
For that small segment of folks that occupy the space at the intersection of design and velo-fandom, I present samples of Guilherme Henrique’s “eight illustrations representing the adrenaline of riding fixed-gear bikes in the city and on the velodrome.”
Here’s a short summary from Prolly is Not Probably:
Guilherme Henrique is a graphic designer and as far as I can tell, Ville Vs. Velodrome is a case study on the scale of the city, the bike rider, the velodrome, racers and their bikes. Each of the templates have detailed descriptions as to what is the quantifying or qualifying characteristics of the scale stepping.
Random Images……Xmas Day 2012, the first bike (or trike)
My 22-month old nephew’s first tricycle!
He’s actually more into backhoe’s than biking at this age.
Technical Difficulties
The site is experiencing technical difficulties. To deal with the situation, I’ve temporarily shifted to a new wordpress theme. The old, Black Letterhead Friday Cyclotouriste will return…I hope. I do like the simple, crisp, look of this however…hmmm, maybe I should consider a permanent change?
Bicycle Culture……Nerd Boyfriend and city bike couture
If I work in a big city again — San Francisco, for instance — I see myself adopting this kind of look.
The photo is from the website, Nerd Boyfriend, which uses pictures (usually retro) of pop cultural figures and then links to places to purchase the clothes. This is Wesley Snipes a minor, recurring character in the TV show, 30 Rock.
However, Archival Clothing is probably the better website for interesting, well-made accessories and apparel (I love their new duffle bag), but sadly no pictures of bicycles.
UPDATE: Well, was I ever wrong about Archival Clothing! Lesli Larson one of the company’s principals is a bicyclist extraordinaire. She has a really cool Vanilla bicycle (check out the pictures from the blog) and she completed the storied PBP this year (a 1200km round trip brevet from Paris to Brest and back). Archival Clothing actually seems to have quite an obsession with bicycle culture and bicycling. I stand corrected.
Nathan
On the Road……Javelina Rock, Saguaro National Park
My buddy from work and I rendez-vous’d for a ride through the Saguaro National Park, beginning a couple miles outside the park on Old Spanish Trail.
Things started poorly for me as I somehow got a flat on the way to our meeting point!
This little pull-out — Javelina Rock — was a good spot for a short rest, some apples, tangerines, and a granola bar.
Nathan
Bicycle Culture……The Adventures of Tintin
The Adventures of Tintin (by Herge) have been adapted into a film by Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson set for release in the US later this month. Some Tintinologists don’t care for the movie; but, I’m keeping an open mind and hoping for the best.
Here’s a European magazine cover promoting the 1982 Tour de France with Tintin leading a breakaway with Captain Haddock, Prof. Calculus, and Thompson and Thompson in pursuit.
…and here’s Tintin on a hipster-like-single speed (just some of Herge‘s artwork from The Blue Lotus — arguably one of the best Tintin adventures).
Random Images……Thanksgiving Day in Sabino Canyon
A beautiful Thanksgiving Day in Sabino Canyon with the sun streaming through a large Arizona Sycamore (Platanus wrightii).
On the Road……El Tour de Tucson, Mariachi Band!
One of the highlights of the day was this nine-piece Mariachi Band.
They set up on the east side of the first river crossing (the Santa Cruz River) so that as we crested the bank we were treated to their beautiful costumes and lovely music!
On the Road……El Tour de Tucson, river crossing
On the Road……El Tour De Tucson, unicycle madness
This guy definitely deserves some kind of recognition for riding 111 miles on a unicycle. How he handled some of the steeper hills, descents, and cross winds, I have no idea.
This was not an easy picture to make while riding in a packed field near the start of the race. I have the Ebisu’s stable handling to thank for it.
Nathan
Featured Comment by Andy: “I am the mystery unicyclist. I completed the 111 mile ride in 8:51:46 for a Silver finish. My unicycle has a 36 inch wheel with a geared hub that has 2 speeds 1:1 and 1:1.5. That allows me to go really fast in high gear and shift to low gear to tackle the steep hills. I have a detailed write-up of the day on blog page of my website www.tucsonuni.com.”
